Electronic device including battery module and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device comprise a housing including a mounting hole in which a battery module is mounted and a printed circuit board disposed adjacent to the mounting hole and electrically connected with the battery module, wherein the battery module include a battery cell having a connector projecting in a first direction, a terminal circuit including at least one connecting terminal electrically connected with the connector, a supporting case disposed at a side of the battery cell, seating the terminal circuit therein, and having an opening to expose at least part of the connecting terminal of the terminal circuit, and at least one upper film unit disposed facing a surface of the supporting case to protect the battery cell or the terminal circuit. According to the present disclosure, an electronic device including a battery module eliminates the need for an FPCB, leading to cost savings and simplified assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/786,739 filed on Oct. 18, 2017 which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application filed in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office on Oct. 18, 2016 and assigned Serial No.10-2016-0135099, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to electronic devices, andmore specifically, electronic devices including a battery module havinga battery cell and a printed circuit board connected together andmethods for assembling a battery module in an electronic device.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Portable terminals or other electronic equipped with variouscapabilities are quickly spreading and becoming an inherent part ofhuman's life.

Typically, portable terminals and other electronic devices may refer toa sort of device that may be utilized as a scheduler, music or videoplayer, or phone or computer, which may be carried by the user. However,supplying power to the portable terminal through a constant supplysource, such as a power outlet, restricts the portability of theterminal because of the need for connection with the power outlet.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, an electronic device including abattery module may eliminate the need for a FPCB and a connector,leading to cost savings and simplified assembly.

According to the present disclosure, an electronic device including abattery module may have a minimized space for seating a battery therein,providing for a spacious room for mounting other components.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice may comprise a housing including a mounting hole in which abattery module is mounted and a printed circuit board disposed adjacentto the mounting hole and electrically connected with the battery module.The battery module may include a battery cell having a connectorprojecting in a first direction, a terminal circuit including at leastone connecting terminal electrically connected with the connector, asupporting case disposed at a side of the battery cell, seating theterminal circuit therein, and having an opening to expose at least partof the connecting terminal of the terminal circuit, and at least oneupper film unit disposed facing a surface of the supporting case toprotect the battery cell or the terminal circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method formanufacturing a battery module may comprise preparing a pad-printedbattery cell, attaching a first film to a surface of a connectorprojecting in a first direction in the battery cell, disposing aterminal circuit including at least one connecting terminal on an upperportion of the battery cell, disposing a supporting case having at leastan opening so that at least part of the connecting terminal faces in thefirst direction or a second direction different from the firstdirection, wherein the terminal circuit is seated in the supportingcase, and attaching a second film to cover at least part of thesupporting case and the terminal circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice may comprise a battery module. The battery module may include abattery cell having a connector projecting in a first direction, aterminal circuit including at least one connecting terminal connectedwith the connector, a supporting case disposed at a side of the batterycell, seating the terminal circuit therein, and having an opening toexpose at least part of the connecting terminal of the terminal circuit,and at least one upper film unit disposed facing a surface of thesupporting case to protect the battery cell or the terminal circuit.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of theattendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an electronic device in a networkenvironment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating part of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an upper portion of a front surfaceof a battery module according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an upper portion of a battery moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a rear view illustrating a rear surface of a battery moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a batterymodule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a contact type of an upper portion ofa battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a batterymodule mounted in a housing according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an upper portion of abattery module mounted in a housing according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a batterymodule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating a contact type of an upper portionof a battery module according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is illustrates an assembly process for a battery moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the assembly process of FIG. 14.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should beappreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to theembodiments and the terminology used herein, and all changes and/orequivalents or replacements thereto also belong to the scope of thepresent disclosure. The same or similar reference denotations may beused to refer to the same or similar elements throughout thespecification and the drawings. It is to be understood that the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “A or B” or “atleast one of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of A andB. As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may modify variouscomponents regardless of importance and/or order and are used todistinguish a component from another without limiting the components. Itwill be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) isreferred to as being (operatively or communicatively) “coupled with/to,”or “connected with/to” another element (e.g., a second element), it canbe coupled or connected with/to the other element directly or via athird element.

As used herein, the terms “configured to” may be interchangeably usedwith other terms, such as “suitable for,” “capable of,” “modified to,”“made to,” “adapted to,” “able to,” or “designed to” in hardware orsoftware in the context. Rather, the term “configured to” may mean thata device can perform an operation together with another device or parts.For example, the term “processor configured (or set) to perform A, B,and C” may mean a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or applicationprocessor) that may perform the operations by executing one or moresoftware programs stored in a memory device or a dedicated processor(e.g., an embedded processor) for performing the operations.

Electronic Device

As noted above, portable terminals and other electronic device mayprovide various functions, allowing the user access to the variousfunctions while moving.

For example, examples of the electronic device according to embodimentsof the present disclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, atablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-bookreader, a desktop PC, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, aworkstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), a MP3 player, a medical device, a camera, or awearable device. The wearable device may include at least one of anaccessory-type device (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, anecklace, glasses, contact lenses, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), afabric- or clothes-integrated device (e.g., electronic clothes), a bodyattaching-type device (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo), or a bodyimplantable device. In some embodiments, examples of the smart homeappliance may include at least one of a television, a digital video disk(DVD) player, an audio player, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, acleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washer, a drier, an air cleaner, aset-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel,a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a gamingconsole (Xbox™, PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronickey, a camcorder, or an electronic picture frame.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g.,diverse portable medical measuring devices (a blood sugar measuringdevice, a heartbeat measuring device, or a body temperature measuringdevice), a magnetic resource angiography (MRA) device, a magneticresource imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT) device, animaging device, or an ultrasonic device), a navigation device, a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, an event data recorder(EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), an automotive infotainment device,an sailing electronic device (e.g., a sailing navigation device or agyro compass), avionics, security devices, vehicular head units,industrial or home robots, drones, automatic teller's machines (ATMs),point of sales (POS) devices, or internet of things (IoT) devices (e.g.,a bulb, various sensors, a sprinkler, a fire alarm, a thermostat, astreet light, a toaster, fitness equipment, a hot water tank, a heater,or a boiler). According to various embodiments of the disclosure,examples of the electronic device may at least one of part of a piece offurniture, building/structure or vehicle, an electronic board, anelectronic signature receiving device, a projector, or variousmeasurement devices (e.g., devices for measuring water, electricity,gas, or electromagnetic waves). According to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the electronic device may be flexible or may be acombination of the above-enumerated electronic devices. According to anembodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited tothose described above. As used herein, the term “user” may denote ahuman or another device (e.g., an artificial intelligent electronicdevice) using the electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, an electronic device 100 is included in a networkenvironment 100. The electronic device 100 may include a bus 110, aprocessor 120, a memory 130, an input/output interface 150, a display160, and a communication interface 170. In some embodiments, theelectronic device 100 may exclude at least one of the components or mayadd another component. The bus 110 may include a circuit for connectingthe components 110 to 170 with one another and transferringcommunications (e.g., control messages or data) between the components.The processing module 120 may include one or more of a centralprocessing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communicationprocessor (CP). The processor 120 may perform control on at least one ofthe other components of the electronic device 100, and/or perform anoperation or data processing relating to communication.

The memory 130 may include a volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Forexample, the memory 130 may store commands or data related to at leastone other component of the electronic device 100. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 130 may store softwareand/or a program 140. The program 140 may include, e.g., a kernel 141,middleware 143, an application programming interface (API) 145, and/oran application program (or “application”) 147. At least a portion of thekernel 141, middleware 143, or API 145 may be denoted an operatingsystem (OS). For example, the kernel 141 may control or manage systemresources (e.g., the bus 110, processor 120, or a memory 130) used toperform operations or functions implemented in other programs (e.g., themiddleware 143, API 145, or application program 147). The kernel 141 mayprovide an interface that allows the middleware 143, the API 145, or theapplication 147 to access the individual components of the electronicdevice 101 to control or manage the system resources.

The middleware 143 may function as a relay to allow the API 145 or theapplication 147 to communicate data with the kernel 141, for example.Further, the middleware 143 may process one or more task requestsreceived from the application program 147 in order of priority. Forexample, the middleware 143 may assign a priority of using systemresources (e.g., bus 110, processor 120, or memory 130) of theelectronic device 100 to at least one of the application programs 147and process one or more task requests. The API 145 is an interfaceallowing the application 147 to control functions provided from thekernel 141 or the middleware 143. For example, the API 133 may includeat least one interface or function (e.g., a command) for filing control,window control, image processing or text control. For example, theinput/output interface 150 may transfer commands or data input from theuser or other external device to other component(s) of the electronicdevice 101 or may output commands or data received from othercomponent(s) of the electronic device 100 to the user or other externaldevices.

The display 160 may include, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), alight emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode(OLED) display, or a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, oran electronic paper display. The display 160 may display, e.g., variouscontents (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, or symbols) to the user.The display 160 may include a touchscreen and may receive, e.g., atouch, gesture, proximity or hovering input using an electronic pen or abody portion of the user. For example, the communication interface 170may set up communication between the electronic device 101 and anexternal electronic device (e.g., a first electronic device 102, asecond electronic device 104, or a server 106). For example, thecommunication interface 170 may be connected with the network 162through wireless or wired communication to communicate with the externalelectronic device.

The wireless communication may include cellular communication which usesat least one of, e.g., long term evolution (LTE), long termevolution-advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA),wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), universal mobiletelecommunication system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), or globalsystem for mobile communication (GSM). According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the wireless communication may include at least oneof, e.g., wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), bluetooth, bluetooth low power(BLE), zigbee, near field communication (NFC), magnetic securetransmission (MST), radio frequency, or body area network (BAN).According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wirelesscommunication may include global navigation satellite system (GNSS). TheGNSS may be, e.g., global positioning system (GPS), global navigationsatellite system (Glonass), Beidou navigation satellite system(hereinafter, “Beidou”) or Galileo, or the European globalsatellite-based navigation system. Hereinafter, the terms “GPS” and the“GNSS” may be interchangeably used herein. The wired connection mayinclude at least one of, e.g., universal serial bus (USB), highdefinition multimedia interface (HDMI), recommended standard (RS)-232,power line communication (PLC), or plain old telephone service (POTS).The network 162 may include at least one of telecommunication networks,e.g., a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide areanetwork (WAN)), Internet, or a telephone network.

The first and second external electronic devices 102 and 104 each may bea device of the same or a different type from the electronic device 100.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, all or some ofoperations executed on the electronic device 100 may be executed onanother or multiple other electronic devices (e.g., the electronicdevices 102 and 104 or server 106). According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, when the electronic device 100 should perform somefunction or service automatically or at a request, the electronic device100, instead of executing the function or service on its own oradditionally, may request another device (e.g., electronic devices 102and 104 or server 106) to perform at least some functions associatedtherewith. The other electronic device (e.g., electronic devices 102 and104 or server 106) may execute the requested functions or additionalfunctions and transfer a result of the execution to the electronicdevice 100. The electronic device 100 may provide a requested functionor service by processing the received result as it is or additionally.To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-servercomputing technique may be used, for example.

However, in order to provide the various functions described above, theelectronic device 100 includes power supply 175 to supply electricalpower to the electronic device 100 and the other components therein. Theelectronic device 100 and can comprise a housing (as will be describedin FIG. 2) which houses the bus 110 processor 120, memory 130,input/output interface 150, display 160, and communication interface170, and power supply therein, as well as additional circuitry tofacilitate provision of power from the power supply 175 to the bus 110processor 120, memory 130, input/output interface 150, and display 160.

Housing and Power Supply

Connection to an electrical power outlet restricts the portability ofthe electronic device 100. A battery can provide the power needed by theelectronic device 100 while permitting portability.

Embedded batteries for electronic devices adopt a high-cost flexibleprinted circuit board (FPCB) and suffer from an insufficient mountingspace for a coupler to connect the FPCB to the board of the portableterminal. To connect the board of the electronic device with theembedded battery, a connector is placed on the FPCB. Installing theconnector results in a waste of space and time. Producing a battery packfor electronic devices requires manual work to wrap an insulating filmaround a battery and seat the battery pack in the space, increasingassembly costs.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating part of anelectronic device 200 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In the three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system as shown in FIG.2, ‘X,’ ‘Y,’ and ‘Z,’ respectively, may denote the length direction,thickness direction, and width direction of the electronic device 200.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, ‘X’ may denote afirst direction (+X or −X), ‘Y’ may denote a second direction (+Y or−Y), and ‘Z’ may denote a third direction (+Z or −Z).

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 200 may include a housing210, a display device 220, at least one printed circuit board (PCB) 250,and a battery 260.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing 210may be an element for receiving various electronic parts. At least partof the housing 210 may be formed of a conductive material. For example,the housing 210 may include side walls (along the Y axis) that form theexternal surface of the electronic device 200. The housing 210 mayinclude a conductive material in its part that is exposed to the outsideof the electronic device 200. A printed circuit board 250 and/or abattery 260 may be received inside the housing 210. For example, aprocessor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG. 1), a communication module,various interfaces, a power management module, or a control circuit maybe configured in the form of a chip and mounted on the printed circuitboard 250. For example, the control circuit may be part of the processoror the communication module.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing 210may include a first surface 211 and a rear cover 212 that is spacedapart from the first surface 211 and positioned opposite the firstsurface 211. The rear cover 212 may protect the rear surface of theelectronic device 200, and the rear cover 212, together with the displaydevice 220, may form the outer look of the electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display device220 may, at least partially, be formed of a material that transmitsradio waves or magnetic fields. For example, the display device 220 mayinclude a window member formed of reinforced glass and a display panelplaced on an inner side surface of the window member. A touch panel maybe provided between the window member and the display device. Forexample, the display device 220 may be utilized as an input deviceequipped with touchscreen functionality, not alone as an output devicefor outputting screen.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing 210may have a support 270 extending internally. The support 270 may beformed of a metal. The support 270 may be disposed in a space formed bythe display device 220 and the rear cover 112. For example, the support270 may be interposed between the display device 220 and the printedcircuit board 250. The support 270 may prevent integrated circuit (IC)chips mounted on the printed circuit board 250 from contacting thedisplay device 220. The support 270 may provide electromagneticshielding, preventing electromagnetic interference between the IC chips.The support 270 may reinforce the rigidity of the electronic device 200.For example, the housing 210 may have several openings or recessesformed depending on the arrangement of the electronic parts inside theelectronic device 200, reducing the rigidity of the housing 210 or theelectronic device 200. The support 270 may be mounted and fastenedinside the electronic device 210, reinforcing the rigidity of thehousing 210 or the electronic device 200.

Although not shown in the drawings, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, various structures may be formed on the surface ofthe housing 210 and support 270 depending on the arrangement ofelectronic parts inside the electronic device 200 or the structure inwhich the housing 210 and the support 270 are fastened together. Forexample, spaces for receiving IC chips mounted on the printed circuitboard 250 may be formed in the housing 210 and/or the support 270. Thespaces for the IC chips may be formed in recessed shapes or ribssurrounding the IC chips. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the housing 210 and the support 270 may have theircorresponding fastening bosses or holes. For example, the housing 210and the support 270 may be fastened together, with the support 270facing or received in the housing 210 by fitting screws or othercouplers to the fastening bosses or holes.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the printedcircuit board 250 may have a circuit of the terminal, e.g., at least oneof an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), amemory, and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, mounted thereon, and theprinted circuit board 250 may include a signal line (e.g., a RF signalline).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, power supply maybe provided to the integrated circuits and display 220 by placing thebattery 260 in a mounting hole 215 that is formed in the housing 210.Now described are the certain embodiments of the structure of thebattery 260 and the assembled structure of the battery 260 mounted inthe electronic device 200.

Battery

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery 300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery 300 ofthe electronic device shown in FIG. 3 may be the battery 260 of theelectronic device 200 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the battery 300 may include a battery cell 310,terminal circuit 320, a supporting case 330 wherein the terminal circuitis seated, and at least one film 340, 350. The battery cell 310 caninclude a connector 311. The terminal circuit 320 comprises a connectingterminal 321. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, thebattery cell 310 may include at least two or more cells and a cellholder in which the cells are assembled. Each cell may include, e.g., alithium-ion cell. The battery cell 310 includes an electrode currentcollector (not shown in the drawings) having a stack of a first andsecond electrode plate (not shown in the drawings) with differentpolarities and a separator (not shown in the drawings) interposedbetween the first and second electrode plates (not shown in thedrawings). To allow the battery cell 310 a high-output and highcapability, a plurality of first electrode plates, second electrodeplates, and separators may be stacked one over another.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell310 may include the connector 311 that projects in the first directionX. The connector 311 may form an electrical contact with the terminalcircuit 320 and may include a positive (+) terminal and a negative (−)terminal. For example, the connector 311 disposed on an upper portion ofthe battery cell 310 may include a protruding surface 311 a extendingfrom the rear surface of the battery cell 310 and a contact surface 311b stepped from the protruding surface 311 a and projecting relativelyfurther from the protruding surface 311 a in the first direction X.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminalcircuit 320 may include the connecting terminal 321 that is positionedfacing at least a surface of the connector 311 of the battery cell 310.The connecting terminal 321 of the terminal circuit 320 may include afirst connecting terminal 321 a electrically connected with the batterycell 310 (via connector 311) and a second connecting terminal 321 belectrically connected with the printed circuit board (e.g., the printedcircuit board 250 of FIG. 2).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminalcircuit 320 may include a plurality of first connecting terminals 321 athat are spaced apart from each other to correspond to the arrangementof the electrodes of the battery cell 310. For example, a surface of thefirst connecting terminal 321 a may contact a first electrode (e.g.,the + electrode), and another surface of the first connecting terminal321 a may contact a second electrode (e.g., the − electrode). The firstconnecting terminals 321 a may be joined together by being individuallywelded or soldered with each of the first and second electrode.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondconnecting terminal 321 b may be disposed at a side of the terminalcircuit 320. There may be provided at least two or more secondconnecting terminals 321 b. For example, a surface of each secondconnecting terminal 321 b may be exposed externally, and the secondconnecting terminals may be spaced apart from each other. According toan embodiment of the present disclosure, the second connecting terminals321 b may form an electrical contact by contacting at least part of theprinted circuit board 250.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminalcircuit 320 may include an insulating plate 322 between the firstconnecting terminal 321 a and the second connecting terminal 321 b tospace apart and insulate the first connecting terminal 321 a and thesecond connecting terminal 321 b from each other. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating plate 322 may bedisposed between the first connecting terminals 321 a to space apart andinsulate the first connecting terminals 321 a from each other. Accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating plate 322 maybe disposed between the second connecting terminals 321 b to space apartand insulate the second connecting terminals 321 b from each other.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase 330 may be disposed at a side of the battery cell 310, seating theterminal circuit 320 therein. The seated terminal circuit 320 may remainin stable electrical connection with the battery cell 310. According toan embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting case 330 mayinclude a seating portion 331 (with the perimeter of the hole along theZ-axis and the hole extending in the X direction) for seating theterminal circuit 320 and at least one hole 332 for welding or solderingthe terminal circuit 320.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front surfaceof the supporting case 330 which faces in the second direction Y isopen. The supporting case 330 has the seating portion 331 in the inside,supporting and/or protecting the terminal circuit 320 whilesubstantially surrounding the overall area (or at least 90%) of theterminal circuit 320. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the seating portion 331 may be configured as a holecorresponding or mirroring (or a reverse negative) in shape to theterminal circuit 320, and the seating portion 331 may be designed tohave a deeper inside portion, where the second connecting terminal 321 bof the terminal circuit 320 is to be disposed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one hole332 may be formed on the surrounding of seating portion 331, and thehole 332 may be positioned where the first connecting terminal 321 a isto be seated to expose at least part of the first connecting terminal321 a. As set forth above, the first connecting terminal 321 a may forma contact by being welded or soldered with the connector 311 of thebattery cell 310. For the purpose of the welding or soldering, the hole332 may be formed in a surface of the supporting case 330. For example,two holes 332 may be formed, corresponding to the number of the firstconnecting terminals 321 a, assisting in the welding on the rear surfaceof the first connecting terminals 321 a.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase 330 may include a coupling hole 333 for stably fastening theterminal circuit 320 in the mounting hole (e.g., the mounting hole 215of FIG. 2) of the housing. The coupling hole 333 is configured to keepthe second connecting terminal 321 b of the terminal circuit 320 instable contact with the printed circuit board 250, and the coupling hole333 may be disposed at a side of the second connecting terminal 321 b(when the terminal circuit is seated in seating portion 331).Accordingly, a screw and fastening protrusion may be inserted into thecoupling hole 333, fastening the terminal circuit 320. However, thenumber and arrangement of such coupling holes 333 according to thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto. The coupling hole 333 may bereplaced by other various structures for fastening the terminal circuit320 to the housing of the electronic device, e.g., ribs or tapesdisposed around the terminal circuit 320.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the film 340 and350 may be arranged on a surface of each of the battery cell 310, theterminal circuit 320, and the supporting case 330, protecting theoverall battery 300. The film units 340 and 350 may include at least oneupper film unit 340 (including 341, 342, and 343) disposed on an upperportion of the battery cell 310 and at least one assisting film unit 350(including 351 and 352) disposed on an edge of the battery cell 310.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper filmunit 340 may include a first film 341, a second film 342, and a thirdfilm 343. The first film 341 is disposed on the rear surface of theconnector 311 of the battery cell 310, backing up the connector 311which is formed of a thin layer. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the first film 341 may be formed in a lengthcorresponding to the width direction of the battery cell 310. As anotherexample, both end portions in the length direction of the first film 341may be formed to be thicker than the rest of the first film 341. Forexample, a first portion 341 a corresponding to a middle portion of thefirst film 341 may be formed to have a length and first thicknesscorresponding to the connector 311 of the battery cell 310, and secondportions 341 b corresponding to both end portions the first film 341 maybe formed to have a length corresponding to the width of the rest of thebattery cell 310 except for the connector 311 and a thicknesscorresponding to the sum of the first thickness and the thickness of theconnector 311.

As such, the first film 341 may be designed to be shaped as a hole toseat the connector 311 therein, stably supporting the connector 311.However, the shape of the first film 341 is not limited thereto, and thefirst film 341 may rather be formed to have various thicknesses andlengths to support or fasten the connector 311.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second film342 may be disposed on the front surface of the terminal circuit 320 andthe supporting case 330 to cover at least part of the terminal circuit320 and the supporting case 330. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the second film 342 may extend up to a front surfaceportion of the connector 311 of the battery cell 310, fastening theterminal circuit 320 to the battery cell 310.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second film342 may be formed in a single adhesive layer and designed in a shapecorresponding to the supporting case 330. The second connecting terminal321 b of the terminal circuit 320 may be configured to be excluded fromthe covered portion to be exposed in the second direction Y.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third film 343may be disposed on the rear surface of the terminal circuit 320 and thesupporting case 330 to cover at least part of the terminal circuit 320and the supporting case 330. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the third film 343 may extend up to a rear surface portionof the connector 311 of the battery cell 310, fastening the terminalcircuit 320 to the battery cell 310. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the second film 342 and the third film 343 maystably protect and shake-free support the terminal circuit placedinside.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the assisting filmunit 350 may include a side film 351 and a lower film 352. The side film351 may be disposed on a lengthwise edge of the battery cell 310 tostably protect the side surface of the battery cell 310. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the side film 351 may be formed tohave a length corresponding to the length direction of the battery cell310. As another example, the side film 351 may be formed to have alength corresponding to the sum of the length of the connector 311 thatprojects in the first direction X and the length of the battery cell310. As another example, the side film 351 may be designed in an L shapeor an inverted-L shape to cover the edge. Two side films 351 may beprovided to protect both lengthwise portions of the battery cell 310.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower film 352may be disposed on a widthwise edge of the battery cell 310 to stablyprotect the lower end surface of the battery cell 310. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the lower film 352 may be formedin a length corresponding to the width direction of the battery cell310. As another example, the lower film 352 may be designed in an Lshape or an inverted-L shape to cover the edge. Two lower films 352 maybe provided to protect both lengthwise portions of the battery cell 310.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an upper portion of a front surfaceof a battery 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an upper portion of a battery 300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a rearview illustrating a rear surface of a battery 300 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The battery cell 310, the terminal circuit 320, the supporting case 330,and the film 340 and 350 of the battery 300 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6,respectively, may correspond to the battery cell 310, the terminalcircuit 320, the supporting case 330, and the film units 340 and 350 ofthe battery 300 of FIG. 3, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the battery 300 may include a battery cell310 including a connector 311, a terminal circuit 320 including aconnecting terminal 321, a supporting case 330 where the terminalcircuit 320 is seated, and at least one film unit 340 and 350.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at front view ofthe battery 300, the first film 341 may be disposed on an upper portionof the battery cell 310, and the terminal circuit 320 and the supportingcase 330 may be arranged on an upper portion of the first film 341. Thesecond film 342 may cover at least part of the terminal circuit 320 andthe supporting case 330. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the connector 311of the battery cell 310 may extend to the inside of the second film 342to contact at least part of the terminal circuit 320. As anotherexample, side films 351 may be provided to cover both edges of thebattery cell 310.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery 300may be disposed so that the second connecting terminals 321 b of theterminal circuit 320 are exposed to the front. Three second connectingterminals 321 b may be provided which may form contacts to the printedcircuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 250 of FIG. 2) of theelectronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when an upperportion of the battery 300 is viewed from the side, the supporting case330 may be relatively thinner than the battery cell 310 and may seattherein the terminal circuit 320 and the connector 311, which arerelatively thinner than the supporting case 330. To stably support theterminal circuit and the connector, the supporting case 330 may bedisposed in a flat mounting hole, and the film units 340 and 350 may bearranged around the supporting case 330.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at rear view ofthe battery 300, the first film 341 may be disposed on an upper portionof the battery cell 310, and the supporting case 330 may be disposed onan upper portion of the first film 341. As another example, the thirdfilm 343 may be disposed to cover at least part of the rear surface ofthe first film 341 and the supporting case 330. The first film 341, thesupporting case 330, and the third film 343 may be disposed as if theyoverlap each other, firmly supporting and protecting the connector 311of the battery cell 310

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a battery300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is aside view illustrating a contact type of an upper portion of a battery300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The battery cell 310, the terminal circuit 320, the supporting case 330,and the film units 340 and 350 of the battery 300 as shown in FIGS. 7and 8, respectively, may correspond to the battery cell 310, theterminal circuit 320, the supporting case 330, and the film units 340and 350 of the battery 300 of FIG. 3, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the battery 300 may include a battery cell310 including a connector 311, a terminal circuit 320 including aconnecting terminal 321, a supporting case 330 where the terminalcircuit 320 is seated, and at least one film 341, 342, 343, and 351.There may be formed a plurality of second connecting terminals 321 b ofthe terminal circuit 320 exposed through an opening in the supportingcase 330, which may be disposed facing the electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 200 of FIG. 2) and the printed circuit board (e.g.,the printed circuit board 250 of FIG. 2) in the second direction Y. Whenthe printed circuit board 250 is moved along the third direction Z withthe battery 300 seated inside the electronic device 200, the secondconnecting terminals 321 b of the battery 300 may contact the printedcircuit board 250. The present disclosure enables easier mounting of thebattery in the housing and/or connecting the battery to the printedcircuit board without the need for a coupling between the electronicdevice and the FPCB connected to the battery which is required accordingto the prior art, saving as much mounting space as the FPCB takes up.Accordingly, the structure according to the present disclosure leads toa further simplified assembly process and enlarged mounting space in theelectronic device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a battery400 mounted in a housing of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating an upper portion of a battery 400 mounted in a housing ofan electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

The battery cell 410, the terminal circuit 420, the supporting case 430,and the film units 440 and 450 of the battery 400 as shown in FIGS. 9and 10, respectively, may correspond to the battery cell 310, theterminal circuit 320, the supporting case 330, and the film units 340and 350 of the battery 300 of FIG. 3, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a mounting hole 402 may be formed in thehousing 401 to seat the battery 400. The mounting hole 402 may functionas a space for receiving the battery 400 which may be formed in arecessed shape or by ribs surrounding the battery 400.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting hole402 may include a rectangular main hole 402 a according to the size ofthe battery cell 410 surrounded by the assisting film 450 and a sub hole402 b for receiving the supporting case 430 and the terminal circuit 420arranged on an upper portion (in the first direction X) of the batterycell 410. For example, the sub hole 402 b may be designed in a shapecorresponding to the supporting case 430 which has a step, supportingthe upper portion of the battery 400 inhibiting movement by externalimpacts to the electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a look at thestack structure of the battery 400 seated in the mounting hole 402 showsthat the battery cell 410 is seated in the main hole 402 a and the firstfilm 441 and/or the third film 443 attached to the connector 411 may bedisposed on a lower end of the upper portion of the battery cell 410. Asanother example, the third film 443, the supporting case 430, and theterminal circuit 420 may be stacked in order in the sub hole 402 b. Thesecond film (not shown) may be attached onto the upper surface of theterminal circuit 420 and the supporting case 430. As another example,the side film 451 may be disposed on a side surface of the battery cell410. The side film 451, the upper portion of the battery cell 410, andthe rib of the mounting hole 402 may protect the connector which isplaced inside. The film unit including, e.g., the first film 441, thethird film 443, and the side film 451, enables the battery 400 to besubstantially overall supported and insulated.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting hole402 may be disposed on the support (e.g., the support 270 of FIG. 2) ofthe housing. The mounting hole 402 may be open in the second directionY, seating the battery 400 in the third direction Z. After seating thebattery 400, at least part of the printed circuit board (e.g., theprinted circuit board 250 of FIG. 2) may be overlaid on the upperportion of the second connecting terminal 421 b exposed in the seconddirection Y. The second connecting terminal 421 b and the printedcircuit board may be electrically connected together. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the battery 400 establishes anelectrical contact with the printed circuit board 250, allowing foreasier manufacturing. Further, the battery 400 eliminates the need forconnecting a FPCB to the battery cell 410, providing for an enlargedmounting space S.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery 500according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is aperspective view illustrating an upper portion of a battery 500. Thebattery 500 of the electronic device shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 maycorrespond to the battery 260 of the electronic device 200 shown in FIG.2.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the battery 500 may include a battery cell510 including a connector 511, a terminal circuit 520 including aconnecting terminal 521, a supporting case 530 where the terminalcircuit 520 is seated, and at least one film 540 and 550. Theconfiguration of the battery 300 of FIG. 3 may apply to theconfiguration according to FIGS. 11 and 12. The following descriptionfocuses on the differences.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell510 may include the connector 511 that projects in the first directionX. The connector 511 may form an electrical contact with the terminalcircuit 520 and may include a positive (+) terminal and a negative (−)terminal. For example, the connector 511 disposed on the upper portionof the battery cell 510 extends from the middle of the upper portion ofthe battery cell 510, forming a projected surface. The projected surfacemay be stepped from the upper portion of the battery cell 510.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminalcircuit 520 may include the connecting terminal 521 that is positionedfacing at least a surface of the connector 511 of the battery cell 510.The connecting terminal 521 of the terminal circuit 520 may include afirst connecting terminal 521 a electrically connected with theconnector of the battery cell 510 and a second connecting terminal 521 belectrically connected with the printed circuit board (e.g., the printedcircuit board 250 of FIG. 2).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there may beprovided two first connecting terminals 521 a that are disposed at bothends of the terminal circuit 520. The first connecting terminals 521 amay be joined together by being individually welded with each of theelectrodes disposed in the connector 511.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondconnecting terminal 521 b may be disposed at a middle of the terminalcircuit 520. There may be provided at least two or more secondconnecting terminals 521 b. For example, a surface of each secondconnecting terminal 521 b may be exposed externally in the firstdirection X, and the second connecting terminals 521 b may be spacedapart from each other. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the second connecting terminals 521 b may form an electricalcontact by contacting at least part of the printed circuit board 250.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminalcircuit 520 may include an insulating plate between the first connectingterminal 521 a and the second connecting terminal 521 b to space apartand insulate the first connecting terminal 521 a and the secondconnecting terminal 521 b from each other.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase 530 may be disposed at a side of the battery cell 510, seating theterminal circuit 520 therein and keeping the terminal circuit 520 instable electrical connection with the battery cell 510. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting case 530 mayinclude a seating portion 531 for seating the terminal circuit 520.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front surfaceof the supporting case 530 which faces in the first direction X is open.The supporting case 330 has the seating portion 531 in the inside,supporting and/or protecting the terminal circuit 520 while surroundingthe substantially overall area of the terminal circuit 520.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the film units 540and 550 may be arranged on a surface of each of the battery cell 510,the terminal circuit 520, and the supporting case 530, protecting theoverall battery 500. The film 540 and 550 may include at least one upperfilm 540 disposed on an upper portion of the battery cell 510 and atleast one assisting film 550 disposed on an edge of the battery cell510.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper film 540may include a first film 541 and a second film 542. The first film 541is disposed between the battery cell 510 and the supporting case 530,providing anti-shake side support for the connector 511 which is formedof a thin layer. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,the first film 541 may be formed in a length corresponding to the widthdirection of the battery cell 510. As another example, the first film541 may be formed to project to the area where contact to the connector511 is made with respect to the film formed in the length direction. Thefirst film 541 may be disposed in an area where the battery cell 510faces the supporting case 530, preventing direct contact to thesupporting case 530 and the battery cell 510. As another example, thefirst film 541 may place the thin-layered connector 511 in stablesupport, preventing the connector 511 from being shaken due to externalimpacts. However, the shape of the first film 541 is not limitedthereto, and the first film 341 may rather be formed to have variousthicknesses and lengths to support or fasten the connector 511.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second film542 may be disposed on the upper portion of the terminal circuit 520 andthe supporting case 530 to cover at least part of the terminal circuit520 and the supporting case 530. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the second film 542 may be configured to have anopening in the center, allowing the connecting terminal 521 to beexposed in the first direction X. The second film 542 may extend up to afront and/or rear surface portion of the connector 511 of the batterycell 510, fastening the terminal circuit 520 to the battery cell 510.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the assisting film550 may include a side film 551 and a lower film (not shown). The sidefilm 551 may be disposed on a lengthwise edge of the battery cell 510 tostably protect the side surface of the battery cell 510. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the side film 551 may be formed tohave a length corresponding to the length direction of the battery cell510. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lowerfilm (not shown) may be disposed on a widthwise edge of the battery cell510 to stably protect the lower end surface of the battery cell 510.

FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating a contact type of an upper portionof a battery 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The battery cell 510, the terminal circuit 520, the supporting case 530,and the film units 540 and 550 of the battery 500 as shown in FIG. 13,respectively, may be the battery cell 510, the terminal circuit 520, thesupporting case 530, and the film units 540 and 550 of the battery 500of FIGS. 11 and 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, the battery 500 may include a battery cell 510including a connector 511 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a terminalcircuit 520 including a connecting terminal 521 b, a supporting case 530where the terminal circuit 520 is seated, and at least one film 540 and551. There may be formed a plurality of second connecting terminals(e.g., the second connecting terminals 521 b) of the terminal circuit520 exposed, which may be disposed facing the electronic device (e.g.,the electronic device 200 of FIG. 1) and the printed circuit board(e.g., the printed circuit board 250 of FIG. 1) in the first directionX.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the printedcircuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 250) is moved along thefirst direction −X with the battery 500 seated inside the electronicdevice 200, the second connecting terminals 521 b of the battery 500 maycontact the printed circuit board 250. This enables easier mounting ofthe battery 500 without the an FPCB, saving the mounting space that theFPCB would occupy. Accordingly, the structure according to the presentdisclosure leads to a further simplified assembly process and savingmounting space in the electronic device.

Hereinafter, a process for assembling a battery 300 is described.

Process for Assembling Battery

FIG. 14 illustrates an assembly process according to the flow chart ofFIG. 15 for a battery according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The battery cell 310, the terminal circuit 320, thesupporting case 330, and the film units 340 and 350 of the battery 300as shown in FIG. 14, respectively, may correspond to the battery cell310, the terminal circuit 320, the supporting case 330, and the filmunits 340 and 350 of the battery 300 of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a pad-printed battery cell 310 may beprepared in operation 10. In operation 20, a side film 351 may beattached to both side surfaces of the prepared battery cell 310. Theside film 351 may be attached to lengthwise edges of the battery cell310 to stably protect the side surface of the battery cell 310.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the side film 351may be formed to have a length corresponding to the length direction ofthe battery cell 310. The side film 351 may be configured in an L shapeor an inverted-L shape to cover the edge. The side film 351 may beattached to both side surfaces of the battery cell 310 to protect bothlengthwise portions of the battery cell 310.

After the side film 351 is attached, a lower film 352 may be attached toa lower portion of the battery cell 310 in operation 30. The lower film352 may be disposed on a widthwise edge of the battery cell 310 tostably protect the lower end surface of the battery cell 310. Accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower film 352 may beformed to have a length corresponding to the width direction of thebattery cell 310. The lower film 352 may be configured in an L shape oran inverted-L shape to cover the edge of the battery cell 310. However,the order of attachment of the side film 351 and the lower film 352 isnot limited thereto. For example, the side film 351 may be attachedafter the lower film 352 is attached to stably cover the edge of thebattery cell 310.

After the lower film 352 is attached, the first film 341 may be attachedto the rear surface of the connector 311 of the battery cell 310 inoperation 40. The first film 341 may extend from the rear portion of theconnector 311 to the side film 351, placing the thin-layered connector311 in anti-shake support.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first film 341may be formed in a length corresponding to the width direction of thebattery cell 310. As another example, both end portions in the lengthdirection of the first film 341 may be formed to be thicker than therest of the first film 341. For example, a middle portion of the firstfilm 341 may be formed to have a length and first thicknesscorresponding to the connector 311 of the battery cell 310, and both endportions the first film 341 may be formed to have a length correspondingto the width of the rest of the battery cell 310 except for theconnector 311 and a thickness corresponding to the sum of the firstthickness and the thickness of the connector 311. As such, the firstfilm 341 may be designed to be shaped as a hole to seat the connector311 therein, stably supporting the connector 311. However, the order ofattachment of the side film 351, the lower film 352, and the first film341 is not limited thereto. For example, the side film 351, the lowerfilm 352, and the first film 341 may be attached in various orders tostably cover the edge of the battery cell 310.

After the first film 341 is attached, a terminal circuit 320 may bedisposed on a surface of the connector 311 in operation 50. The firstconnecting terminal 321 a of the terminal circuit 320 may be disposedfacing at least one surface of the connector 311 of the battery cell310, making an electrical connection with the battery cell 310.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectingterminal 321 of the terminal circuit 320 may include the secondconnecting terminal 321 b that is positioned outside the firstconnecting terminal 321 a and makes an electrical connection with theprinted circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 250 of FIG. 2).The second connecting terminal 321 b may be disposed to be exposed inthe second direction Y.

After the terminal circuit 320 is disposed, a supporting case 330 may bedisposed on the rear surface of the terminal circuit 320 in operation60. The supporting case 330 may be disposed at a side of the batterycell 310, seating the terminal circuit 320 therein and keeping theterminal circuit 320 in stable electrical connection with the batterycell 310.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase 330 may include a seating portion 331 for seating the terminalcircuit 320 and at least one hole 332 for performing a welding processon the terminal circuit 320. For example, the at least one hole 332 maybe positioned where the first connecting terminal 321 a is seated. Thus,the first connecting terminal 321 a may form a contact with theconnector 311 of the battery cell 310 through the hole 332 by welding.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase 330 may include a coupling hole 333 adjacent to the secondconnecting terminal 321 b to stably fasten the terminal circuit 320 inthe mounting hole (e.g., the mounting hole 215 of FIG. 2) of thehousing. Accordingly, a screw may be inserted into the coupling hole 33,fastening the terminal circuit 320. However, the number and arrangementof such coupling holes 333 according to the present disclosure are notlimited thereto. The coupling hole 333 may be replaced by other variousstructures for fastening the terminal circuit 320 to the housing of theelectronic device, e.g., ribs or tapes disposed around the terminalcircuit 320.

After the supporting case 330 is disposed, a second film 342 may bedisposed on the front surface of the terminal circuit 320 and thesupporting case 330 in operation 70. The second film 342 may be attachedto cover at least part of the terminal circuit 320 and the supportingcase 330. The second film 342 may extend up to a front surface portionof the connector 311 of the battery cell 310, fastening the terminalcircuit 320 to the battery cell 310.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second film342 may be formed in a single film layer and designed in a shapecorresponding to the supporting case 330. The second connecting terminal321 b of the terminal circuit 320 may be configured to be excluded fromthe covered portion to be exposed in the second direction Y.

After the second film 342 is attached, a third film 343 may be disposedon the rear surface of the terminal circuit 320 and the supporting case330 in operation 80. The third film 343 may be attached to cover atleast part of the terminal circuit 320 and the supporting case 330. Thethird film 343 may extend up to a rear surface portion of the connector311 of the battery cell 310, fastening the terminal circuit 320 to thebattery cell 310. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,the second film 342 and the third film 343 may stably protect andshake-free support the terminal circuit placed inside.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice may comprise a housing including a mounting hole in which abattery is mounted and a printed circuit board disposed adjacent to themounting hole and electrically connected with the battery. The batterymay include

a battery cell having a connector projecting in a first direction, aterminal circuit including at least one connecting terminal electricallyconnected with the connector, a supporting case disposed at a side ofthe battery cell, seating the terminal circuit therein, and having anopening to expose at least part of the connecting terminal of theterminal circuit, and at least one upper film unit disposed facing asurface of the supporting case to protect the battery cell or theterminal circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectingterminal of the terminal circuit may be exposed in the first directionor a second direction different from the first direction, and at leastpart of the printed circuit board may be disposed facing in thedirection where the connecting terminal is exposed and forms anelectrical contact with the connecting terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper filmunit may include a first film disposed between the battery cell and thesupporting case to support the connector of the battery cell and asecond film disposed on a surface of the supporting case to protect atleast part of the supporting case and the terminal circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first film andthe second film may include an insulating material.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting holeof the housing may include a main hole where the battery cell is seatedand a sub hole where at least part of the connector of the battery celland the terminal circuit seated in the supporting case are mounted. Thesub hole may project from the main hole in the first direction and haveat least one step corresponding to a shape of the supporting case.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase may be open in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection to cover and support a rear surface of the connector and theconnecting terminal, and a surface of the connector projecting in thefirst direction may be disposed facing the connecting terminal of theterminal circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper filmunit may include a first film disposed between the battery cell and thesupporting case to support the connector of the battery cell, a secondfilm disposed facing in the second direction of the battery cell tocover at least part of the supporting case and the connector, and athird film disposed facing in a third direction which is an oppositedirection of the second direction of the battery cell to cover at leasta rear surface of the supporting case.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice may further comprise a side surface disposed and attached toprotect a side surface of the battery cell and a lower film disposed andattached to protect a lower portion of the battery cell.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least onecoupling hole may be provided in an end of the supporting case. Theterminal circuit disposed inside the supporting case may be fastened inthe mounting hole of the housing by a coupling with the housing throughthe mounting hole.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least part ofthe terminal circuit disposed on an upper portion of the battery mayoverlap the printed circuit board when viewed from above the battery.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminalcircuit may include at least one first connecting terminal connectedwith the connector of the battery cell, at least one second connectingterminal disposed outside the first connecting terminal and connectedwith the printed circuit board, and an insulating plate insulating thefirst connecting terminal from the second connecting terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase may include a seating portion for seating the terminal circuittherein and at least one hole disposed inside the seating portion andformed in an area corresponding to the first connecting terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least onesecond connecting terminal may be exposed in the second direction, andthe exposed connecting terminal and the printed circuit board maycontact each other in the second direction to form an electricalcontact.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first film mayinclude a first portion where the connector of the battery cell isattached and disposed and a second portion disposed at both ends of thefirst portion and being thicker than the first portion.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportingcase may include a seating portion in the first direction to seat theterminal circuit therein, and the terminal circuit seated in the seatingportion may have at least some of connecting terminals arranged insideformed to face in the first direction.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice may comprise a first film disposed between the battery cell andthe supporting case to support the connector of the battery cell and asecond film disposed on an upper surface of the supporting case and opento expose at least some of the connecting terminals in the firstdirection.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least oneconnecting terminal may be exposed in the first direction, and theexposed connecting terminal and the printed circuit board may contacteach other in the first direction to form an electrical contact.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method formanufacturing a battery may comprise preparing a pad-printed batterycell, attaching a first film to a surface of a connector projecting in afirst direction in the battery cell, disposing a terminal circuitincluding at least one connecting terminal on an upper portion of thebattery cell, disposing a supporting case having at least an opening sothat at least part of the connecting terminal faces in the firstdirection or a second direction different from the first direction,wherein the terminal circuit is seated in the supporting case, andattaching a second film to cover at least part of the supporting caseand the terminal circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method mayfurther comprise, before or after attaching the first film to thesurface of the connector projecting in the first direction in thebattery cell, attaching a side surface to protect a side surface of thebattery cell and attaching a lower film to protect a lower portion ofthe battery cell.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in disposing theterminal circuit including the at least one connecting terminal on theupper portion of the battery cell, a plurality of first connectingterminals of the terminal circuit may be coupled with the connector ofthe battery cell, and second connecting terminals arranged outside thefirst connecting terminals may be exposed to form a contact with aprinted circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice may comprise a battery. The battery may include a battery cellhaving a connector projecting in a first direction, a terminal circuitincluding at least one connecting terminal connected with the connector,a supporting case disposed at a side of the battery cell, seating theterminal circuit therein, and having an opening to expose at least partof the connecting terminal of the terminal circuit, and at least oneupper film unit disposed facing a surface of the supporting case toprotect the battery cell or the terminal circuit.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device including abattery eliminates the need for an FPCB for connecting to the battery,leading to cost savings and simplified assembly for the battery in acontact type.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice including a battery may have a minimized space for seating abattery therein, providing for a spacious room for mounting othercomponents.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in an electronicdevice including a battery, a board and a battery may be connected in acontact type, enabling easier assembly and replacement of a battery.

It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the cameramodules according to various embodiments of the present disclosure asdescribed above are not limited to the above-described embodiments andthose shown in the drawings, and various changes, modifications, oralterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a housingdefining a mounting hole; a printed circuit board disposed adjacent tothe mounting hole; a battery cell disposed in the mounting hole andelectrically connected to the printed circuit board, the battery cellhaving a connector extending from an edge of the battery cell in a firstdirection; a terminal circuit including at least one connecting terminalelectrically connected with the connector to provide power to theprinted circuit board; a supporting case proximate to and substantiallyperpendicular to the edge of the battery cell that the connector extendsfrom, the supporting case defining a seating portion in which theterminal circuit is disposed, and defining an opening exposing at leastpart of at least one connecting terminal of the terminal circuit,wherein the supporting case defines a coupling hole through which afastener is insertable to secure the supporting case to the housing,wherein a perimeter of the coupling hole is on a plane thatsubstantially perpendicular to the edge of the battery cell that theconnector extends from; and at least one upper film disposed facing asurface of the supporting case to protect the battery cell or theterminal circuit.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: theconnecting terminal of the terminal circuit is exposed in the firstdirection or a second direction different from the first direction, andat least part of the printed circuit board is disposed facing in thefirst direction or the second direction in which the connecting terminalis exposed, and forms an electrical contact with the connectingterminal, wherein securing the supporting case to the housing byinserting the fastener through the coupling hole further causes theterminal circuit to be secured in stable contact with the printedcircuit board.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the upperfilm comprises: a first film disposed between the battery cell and thesupporting case to support the connector of the battery cell; and asecond film disposed on the surface of the supporting case to protect atleast part of the supporting case and the terminal circuit.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 3, wherein the first film and the second filmcomprise insulating material.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the mounting hole of the housing includes a main hole where thebattery cell is seated and a sub hole where at least part of theconnector of the battery cell and the terminal circuit seated in thesupporting case are mounted, wherein the sub hole projects from the mainhole in the first direction and has at least one step corresponding to ashape of the supporting case.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the supporting case is open in a second direction perpendicularto the first direction to cover and support a rear surface of theconnector and the connecting terminal, and wherein a surface of theconnector projecting in the first direction is disposed facing theconnecting terminal of the terminal circuit.
 7. The electronic device ofclaim 6, wherein the upper film comprises: a first film disposed betweenthe battery cell and the supporting case to support the connector of thebattery cell; a second film disposed facing in the second direction ofthe battery cell to cover at least part of the supporting case and theconnector; and a third film disposed facing in a third direction whichis an opposite direction of the second direction of the battery cell tocover at least a rear surface of the supporting case.
 8. The electronicdevice of claim 6, wherein the housing further comprising: a side filmdisposed and attached to protect a side surface of the battery cell; anda lower film disposed and attached to protect a lower portion of thebattery cell.
 9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein at least onecoupling hole is provided in an end of the supporting case, and whereinthe terminal circuit disposed inside the supporting case is fastened inthe mounting hole of the housing by a coupling with the housing throughthe mounting hole, wherein at least part of the terminal circuitdisposed on an upper portion of the battery cell overlaps the printedcircuit board when viewed from above the battery cell.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 7, wherein the terminal circuit comprises: atleast one first connecting terminal connected with the connector of thebattery cell; at least one second connecting terminal disposed outsidethe first connecting terminal and connected with the printed circuitboard; and an insulating plate insulating the first connecting terminalfrom the second connecting terminal.
 11. The electronic device of claim10, wherein the supporting case includes a seating portion for seatingthe terminal circuit therein and at least one hole formed in an areacorresponding to the first connecting terminal.
 12. The electronicdevice of claim 10, wherein the at least one second connecting terminalis exposed in the second direction, and wherein the exposed connectingterminal and the printed circuit board contact each other in the seconddirection to form an electrical contact.
 13. The electronic device ofclaim 7, wherein the first film includes a first portion where theconnector of the battery cell is attached and disposed and a secondportion disposed at both ends of the first portion and being thickerthan the first portion.
 14. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe seating portion is in the first direction to seat the terminalcircuit therein, and wherein the terminal circuit seated in the seatingportion has at least some of connecting terminals arranged inside formedto face in the first direction.
 15. The electronic device of claim 14,wherein the at least one upper film comprises: a first film disposedbetween the battery cell and the supporting case to support theconnector of the battery cell; and a second film disposed on an uppersurface of the supporting case and open to expose at least some of theconnecting terminals in the first direction.
 16. The electronic deviceof claim 15, wherein the at least one connecting terminal is exposed inthe first direction, and wherein the exposed connecting terminal and theprinted circuit board contact each other in the first direction to forman electrical contact.
 17. A method for manufacturing a battery module,the method comprising: preparing a pad-printed battery cell including aconnector extending in a first direction from an upper edge of thepad-printed battery cell; wherein the battery cell is electricallyconnected to a printed circuit board; attaching a first film to asurface of the connector of the pad-printed battery cell; disposing aterminal circuit having at least one connecting terminal proximate to anupper portion of the pad-printed battery cell, the at least oneconnecting terminal electrically connectable to the connector to providepower to the printed circuit board of an electronic device; disposing asupporting case proximate to and perpendicular to the upper edge of thepad-printed battery cell that the connector extends from, the supportingcase defining a seating region in which the terminal circuit isdisposed, and defining at least an opening to expose at least part ofthe at least one connecting terminal of the terminal circuit, whereinthe supporting case defines a coupling hole through which a fastener isinsertable to secure the supporting case to an electronic devicehousing, wherein a perimeter of the coupling hole is on a plane that issubstantially perpendicular to the edge of the battery cell that theconnector extends from; and attaching a second film to the supportingcase to cover at least part of the supporting case.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising: attaching a side film to protect a sidesurface of the pad-printed battery cell; and attaching a lower film toprotect a lower portion of the pad-printed battery cell.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein: the terminal circuit including the at least oneconnecting terminal is disposed on the upper portion of the pad-printedbattery cell, a plurality of first connecting terminals of the terminalcircuit are coupled with the connector of the pad-printed battery cell,and second connecting terminals arranged outside the first connectingterminals are exposed to form a contact with a printed circuit board.20. An electronic device, comprising: a battery cell including aconnector extending in a first direction from an edge of the batterycell; wherein the battery cell is electrically connected to a printedcircuit board; a terminal circuit including at least one connectingterminal electronically connected with the connector to provide power tothe printed circuit board of the electronic device; a supporting caseproximate to and perpendicular to the edge of the battery cell which theconnector extends from, the supporting case defining a hollow region inwhich the terminal circuit is disposed, and defining an opening exposingat least part of the at least one connecting terminal of the terminalcircuit, wherein the supporting case defines a coupling hole throughwhich a fastener is insertable to secure the supporting case to ahousing of the electronic device wherein a perimeter of the couplinghole is on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the edge ofthe battery cell that the connector extends from; and at least one upperfilm disposed facing a surface of the supporting case to protect thebattery cell or the terminal circuit.